Grand Champions

Polo News

Newport Wins Fall Classic In Season-Ender At Grand Champions Polo Club; Gene Goldstein MVP

25. November 2024

WELLINGTON, Fla., November 24, 2024—Newport saved its best for last, winning the final tournament of the fall season Sunday at Grand Champions Polo Club.

Newport (Gene Goldstein, Eliza Limehouse, Pablo Spinacci, Tomacho Pieres) held on for a 6-5 victory over Santa Rita (Miles Rich, Martin Jauregui, Rebecca Cohen, Juan Bollini) in the Fall Classic.

It was Newport‘s first tournament win of the season.

Newport‘s Gene Goldstein, the fall season‘s leading scorer, was Most Valuable Player. Goldstein missed only two goal-scoring attempts this season. He scored a game-high five goals to finish the season.

Royal, a 10-year-old Roan mare, played by Rebecca Cohen in the first and fourth chukkers, and owned by Santa Rita Polo Farm, was Best Playing Pony.

Newport led from start to finish, but Santa Rita made it interesting.

Newport jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the opening chukker behind Goldstein‘s two goals.

Newport extended its halftime lead to 5-3 with a 70-yard goal from Pieres to open the chukker and two more goals from Goldstein.

Santa Rita cut Newport‘s lead to one, 5-4, when Miles Rich scored with a second remaining. Goldstein scored his fifth goal, a 63-yarder, to open the final chukker for a 6-4 advantage. Bollini cut the lead to one again with 3:11 left to play. Goldstein came up with the defensive play of the game to turn back Bollini and preserve the victory.

Santa Rita could not take advantage of its scoring opportunites in the second half. Rich led Santa Rita with a team-high three goals.

Grand Champions finished a successful season that featured both medium and high goal tournaments.

Looking back on the season, other 2024 fall champions were: Tackeria Invitational, Audi (Dominic State, Martin Jauregui, Marc Ganzi, Sugar Erskine); Pedro Morrison Memorial, Maltese Falcons (Melissa Ganzi, Teo Calle, Grant Ganzi, Nic Roldan); Banyan Cup, SebiLion (Sebastian Mandelbaum, Santos Bollini, Sugar Erskine, Jason Crowder); Fall Plates, Grand Champions (Miles Rich, -1, Grant Ganzi, 3, Martin Jauregui, 6, Pablo Dorignac, 4); Casablanca Fall Cup, Santa Rita (Rebecca Cohen/Phil Gutman, Jason Crowder, 5, Nic Roldan, 8, Juan Bollini, 3) and ChukkerTV Fall Challenge Cup, Santa Rita (Rebecca Cohen, Andres Fanjul, Martin Jauregui, Juan Bollini).

The family-friendly club welcomes spectators of all ages. All matches are open to the public and dogs on leashes.

In last year‘s Fall Classic, the Maltese Falcons won their team debut. Maltese Falcons (Melissa Ganzi, Jason Crowder, 5, Juan Bollini, 3, Nic Roldan, 8) led the two-day, 18-chukker round robin from start-to-finish. They defeated Casablanca (Marc Ganzi, Grant Ganzi, 3, Tomacho Pieres, 6, Martin Jauregui, 6), 7-5, in the final three chukkers to clinch the title on Aspen Field. Roldan was MVP.

The well-organized fall tournaments attracted players from all over the world. Roster lineups changed from tournament to tournament with evenly-matched teams featuring pro and amateur players.

Wellington-based ChukkerTV (CTV Sports) live streamed the entire fall season. Grand Champions is the only USPA club that live streams all its games.

Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique private 102-acre polo facility in Wellington with 212 stalls in nine self-contained barns, two tracks, five climate-controlled tack rooms, vet room, staff quarters, guest house and four polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation and short work arena. The club has 11 well-manicured world-class fields at GCPC and Santa Rita.

Grand Champions Polo Club caters to men, women and youth polo players at all levels. Its‘ expert staff can customize a complete playing experience including horses, pros and certified umpires in addition to lessons and practice sessions as part of its‘ Polo On Demand program..

The Polo School is for all ages and ability levels and operates in Wellington year-round. The Polo School, a 501c3 organization and stand-alone USPA club, is dedicated to teaching polo to all ages, particularly grass roots youth. Its mission is to provide individuals opportunities in polo at every economic and ability level. The Polo School operates year-round in Wellington. For more information on the club‘s leagues or Polo School contact Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

WELLINGTON, Fla., November 24, 2024—Newport saved its best for last, winning the final tournament of the fall season Sunday at Grand Champions Polo Club. Newport (Gene Goldstein, Eliza Limehouse, Pablo…

Polo News

USPA National 20 Goal, Banyan Cup highlight action in season-ending weekend at Grand Champions

18. November 2022

WELLINGTON, November 17, 2022—The final weekend of fall polo at Grand Champions Polo Club will feature two tournaments.

The coveted USPA National 20 Goal, featuring Santa Rita and Travieso in the championship final, will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. on Field 3.

The club‘s historic and second highly-anticipated high goal tournament held its semifinals on Nov. 8, Tuesday with Santa Rita (Melissa Ganzi, 0, Nic Roldan, 8, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, 7, Juan Bollini) defeating Casablanca (Segundo Merlos, 3, Jason Crowder, 5, Grant Ganzi, 3, Tomacho Pieres, 6), 13-9, and Travieso (Teo Calle, 0, Sugar Erskine, 6, Kris Kampsen, 6, Tommy Biddle, 5) edging NetJets (Jesse Bray, 7, Marc Ganzi, 1, Agustin Obregon 6, Juan Sanchez Elia, 5), 11-9.

There are a few lineup changes for the final. Playing for Santa Rita are Gene Goldstein, Juancito Bollini, Nic Roldan and Juan Bollini. For Travieso, Tony Calle will replace his dad.

In last year‘s USPA National 20 Goal, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (Melissa Ganzi, 0, Jason Crowder, 6, Nic Roldan, 8, Juan Bollini, 4) stunned defending champion Casablanca (Grant Ganzi, 3, Kris Kampsen, 6, Jeff Hall, 6, Tommy Biddle, 5) in a wild 12-11 overtime finish with Bollini scoring the winning goal. Roldan was named MVP after winning a record seventh National 20 Goal title.

The National 20 Goal was first played at the now-defunct Royal Palm Polo Club in Boca Raton, Florida, in 2007. Won by Houston-based team BTA (Chrys Beal, Mariano Gonzalez, Francisco Lanusse, Santiago Trotz) in a narrow victory over Audi 13-12, the trophy then went into hiatus until 2011.

Resurrected by Grand Champions Polo Club, the tournament has consistently fielded four to six competitive teams over the past ten years. Audi has dominated the competition with four total wins, including back-to-back victories in 2012 and 2013 with an identical team (Marc Ganzi, Carlos Gracida Jr., Nic Roldan, Carlos Gracida).

The Banyan Cup is the final medium goal tournament of the season. Two teams will compete Friday at 11 a.m. with the final set for Sunday, also at 11 a.m. Both games are at Santa Rita Polo Farm. The Roxbury Raiders (Josh Silverman, Teo Calle, Jason Crowder, Tommy Biddle) plays Newport (Gene Goldstein, Sugar Erskine, Nic Roldan, Tito Gaudenzi).

The last time the Banyan Cup was held was Nov. 24, 2020. Sebucan (Pablo Pulido, Juancito Bollini, Nic Roldan, Grant Ganzi) defeated World Polo League (Gussie Busch, Pablo Spinacci, Horacio Heguy, Michel Dorignac), 14-9. Pulido was MVP and Little Nell was Best Playing Pony.

One of the nation‘s busiest and innovative polo clubs celebrating its 16th anniversary, has been hosting both medium goal and high goal leagues throughout the fall.

The club tournaments attract players from all over the United States and world including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, England, France, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Switzerland and South Africa.

The Grand Champions Fall Invitational, geared toward improving a player‘s polo skills at every level, has been a great opportunity for players and sponsors to prepare for the winter season highlighted by the 26-goal World Polo League, now entering its fifth season at Grand Champions.

Grand Champions Polo Club and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique private 100-acre polo facility in Wellington with more than 150 stalls in several self-contained barns, exercise track, five climate-controlled tack rooms, vet room, staff quarters, guest house and polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation and stick-and-ball fields.

Wellington-based ChukkerTV is live streaming the entire fall season. ChukkerTV‘s state-of-the art technology features team challenges and instant replay which made their debut at Grand Champions in January, 2014.

Grand Champions and Santa Rita Polo Farm hosts polo tournaments ranging from six to 26-goal in addition to special events at its well-manicured fields during the fall, winter and spring seasons.

Grand Champions Polo Club and Santa Rita Polo Farm cater to men, women and youth polo players at all levels. Its‘ expert staff can customize a complete playing experience including horses, pros and certified umpires in addition to lessons and practice sessions as part of its‘ Polo On Demand program at the turnkey facility.

The Polo School, a 501c3 organization and stand-alone USPA club, is dedicated to teaching polo to all ages, particularly grass roots youth. Its mission is to provide individuals opportunities in polo at every economic and ability level. The Polo School operates in Wellington January through June and October through November. For more information on the Fall Leagues or Polo School contact Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or Cale Newman at 561-876-2930

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

2022 Banyan Cup Schedule

Friday 11/18
11 a.m. The Roxbury Raiders vs Newport at Santa Rita

Sunday 11/20
11 a.m. Banyan Cup Final at Santa Rita

2022 USPA National 20 Goal Schedule

Saturday 11/19
11 a.m. Santa Rita vs Travieso at GCPC 3

WELLINGTON, November 17, 2022—The final weekend of fall polo at Grand Champions Polo Club will feature two tournaments. The coveted USPA National 20 Goal, featuring Santa Rita and Travieso in…

North America, Polo News

Stage Hill Wins Grand Champions Polo School Ladies League Final; Ava Hinkson Named MVP

25. February 2022

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 24, 2022–Stage Hill held off Running Iron and Spencer Ranch to capture the Grand Champions Polo School Ladies League Final Wednesday at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Stage Hill (Ava Hinkson, 1, Ava Nunez, 1, Malicia van Falkenhausen, 2, Alyson Poor, 4) defeated Running Iron (Pamela Flanagan, 4, Ari Dogani, 2, Annalise Philips, 0, Rileigh Tibbott, 1), 2-1.5, and Spencer Ranch (Rachael Spencer, 0, Valentina Tarazona, 0, Marisa Bianchi, 4, Heather Soto, 4), 1-0. In the other matchup, Running Iron defeated Spencer Ranch, 4.5-1.

Hinkson, who just turned 18 on Feb. 19, was selected Most Valuable Player.

„I have been MVP a handful of times, but it‘s always such an honor to get it, especially today,“ Hinkson said. „There were so many other incredible women out there. I was really surprised.“

Ava Hinkson and Marisa Bianchi.

Foxy, played by Heather Soto in the first chukker, was Best Playing Pony.

„The February final went really well,“ said Ladies League co-founder Alina Carta. „The girls had so much fun. They had a great time. They are all super nice girls. We are really lucky.

„Ava played well today,“ Carta said. „She has been playing better and better. She is very engaged, very on the ball and quick. I thought she played consistent.“

Pamela Flanagan and Ava Nunez.

Hinkson, a home schooler, has been playing polo since she was 12. She has honed her skills in Polo Training Foundation tournaments and Polo School Ladies League games. She is also competing in the 8-Goal League at Grand Champions.

Hinkson comes from a horse family. Her family has a 60-acre horse farm in Ocala. Her father played polo for years and her mother competed in three-day eventing. She first tried her mom‘s sport and then started playing polo.

„I started with the PTF and fell in love with it,“ Hinkson said. „I am definitely committed. I have two full strings of horses now. It‘s a lot but I love it. I want to go as far as I can with it.“

Heather Soto.

Her first tournament was the 2015 WCT Finals created by Hall of Famer Sunny Hale, who took Hinkson under her wing.

„She was an incredible person,“ said Hinkson of Hale, who died in 2017. „I remember she took us to Adolfo Cambiaso‘s barn one day and shared so many experiences. She was such an icon to me. She always took time for everyone. She really helped me find my love for polo. After that 2015 event I knew this is what I wanted to do. I have just fallen in love with it.“

Hinkson played a key role in her team‘s success on Wednesday.

„That was such a fun game,“ Hinkson said. „I love playing out there so much with those girls. There was a lot of running.

Ava Nunez and Ari Dogani.

„The four of us really click together. It was really competitive games. You had to be on and be cooking. We were a little bit slow in the first half, but started coming along a lot better. I love playing with the other three girls. We get along really well, we all communicate really nicely. We play off each other‘s strengths which is something I really enjoy.“

The Grand Champions Polo School Women‘s League, now in its sixth year, continues to play a key role in developing women players. The league, for all levels of playing ability, is held every Wednesday at 10 a.m. through April.

„I think it‘s definitely helped me, I really enjoy it,“ Hinkson said. „I played with Pam and Alyson and all these great women. They have really helped me on different things. Alyson tells me to work close to the man. Pam tells me she wants me to work with the ball more. They have all helped me round my game out. Every week I feel like I have gained a little more traction on putting everything together.“

The only full-time weekly women‘s polo league in the world was created by Carta, a polo pioneer and one of the highest ranked women in the U.S. in the 1980s, and Melissa Ganzi, Grand Champions Polo Club President, World Polo League co-founder and avid player. Ganzi is the first woman in history to win the prestigious 35th Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz and first international woman to compete in the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo and earn MVP honors.

„It provides a place for them to really have fun, work on their game and play competitively,“ said Carta, who has several new players coming into the March League. „We have had a lot of new young girls.“

Pamela Flanagan and Ava Hinkson.

All team entry fees benefit The Polo School, a stand-alone USPA-sanctioned club located at the former Pony Express facility. The Polo School offers lessons to men, women and children of all ages and ability levels and offers scholarships.

The women‘s league, along with the March 30-April 3 WCT Finals at Grand Champions, honors Sunny Hale, the all-time greatest women‘s polo player, mentor and Hall of Famer.

Grand Champions, the nation‘s largest and busiest polo club celebrating its 15th anniversary, is coming off its most successful fall season. Club officials hope to build off that success when it hosts 23 tournaments from January through April.

Valentina Tarazona and Ari Dogani.

Grand Champions is host to the World Polo League, now in its fourth year and only 26-goal polo played outside of Argentina. Already underway with the All-Star Challenge, it has attracted a large international field from around the world.

The world-class league will run through April 16. In addition to the All-Star Challenge which ends on Saturday with the final, the remaining tournaments are the Founders Cup, which will hold its draw on Thursday; Palm Beach Open, March 9-27; Triple Crown of Polo, March 23-April 16 and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach, April 29-May 1.

Grand Champions has also added Sunset Chukkers and Cocktails, presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek held Tuesday late afternoon on Field One for players and guests.

The high goal club tournaments feature the Sterling Cup, $100,000 World Cup and Santa Rita Abierto.

The 16-goal league play includes the Grand Champions Cup, Power Horse Invitational and Pedro Morrison Memorial.

Valentina Tarazona and Ari Dogani.

The 12-goal league continues with the current Sieber Memorial Trophy, the $50,000 National 12-Goal and Mar. 8-26 Top Pony 12-Goal.

After January‘s successful Aspen Valley Cup, the 8-goal tournament schedule continues with the 5 Top Pony 8-Goal and Limited Edition 8-Goal.

The 6-goal schedule features the Metropolitan Cup, also underway; Halo Polo Trophy and Madelon Bourdieu Memorial.

Grand Champions Polo Club and Santa Rita Polo Farm is the largest and most unique private 100-acre polo facility in Wellington with 120 stalls in several self-contained barns, exercise track, five climate-controlled tack rooms, vet room, staff quarters, guest house and polo fields with state-of-the-art underground irrigation and stick-and-ball fields.

Heather Soto and Best Playing Pony Foxy.

During fall, winter and spring seasons, Grand Champions Polo Club, the nation‘s largest club with 13 well-manicured, world-class fields at GCPC and Santa Rita Polo Farm, hosts polo tournaments ranging from six to 26-goal including the 26-goal World Polo League in addition to special events.

The Polo School operates in Wellington January through May and September through November. For more information on the Fall Leagues or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or General Manager Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 24, 2022–Stage Hill held off Running Iron and Spencer Ranch to capture the Grand Champions Polo School Ladies League Final Wednesday at Santa Rita Polo Farm. Stage…

North America, Polo News, South America

Grand Champions, Aspen Valley Polo Clubs Capture U.S. Polo Assn Junior Tournament Events At Santa Rita Polo Farm

24. February 2022

WELLINGTON, Fla., February 23, 2022—Grand Champions won the U.S. Polo Assn Junior Tournament Tackeria President‘s Day Cup and Aspen Valley Polo Club won the historic Avendano Trophy celebrating its 40th anniversary Monday at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Grand Champions (Maeve Reicher, Harrison Reicher, Ava Nunes, Paquito de Narvaez) won an exciting 5-4 penalty shootout over Red Barn (Jack Whitman, Ethan Siekel, Elisabeth Brassart, Joaquin Vilgre de la Madrid). Grand Champions, Red Barn and Tackeria (Matteo Bilbao, Alea Crespo, Ava Hinkson, Joseph Schwartz) were the top three finishers in the round robin.

Teams Tackeria, Red Barn, and Grand Champions.

Paquito de Narvaez of Grand Champions earned Most Valuable Player honors. Jack Whitman of Red Barn was awarded the Sportsmanship Award and his horse, 8-year-old Pintada, was Best Playing Pony.

Aspen Valley Polo Club (Santiago Gonzalez, Francisco Spinacci, Cruz Bilbao, Artemio Figueras) dominated runner-up Power Group Total Care (Brock Bromley, Milo MacDonough, Antonio Aguerre, Valentina Tarazona) and third-place finisher GJ Racing (Jem Handler, Max Scott Barnes, Santos Teves, Finn Secunda) to win the second round robin and historic Avendano Trophy celebrating its 40th anniversary.

MVP Paquito de Narvaez and Pablo MacDonough.

Milo MacDonough of Power Group Total Care was Most Valuable Player. Lucama, played by Santiago Gonzalez of Aspen Valley Polo Club, was Best Playing Pony. Jem Handler of GJ Racing earned the Sportsmanship Award.

After the four-chukker Santa Rita-Alex Photo matchup, Antonio Villamil was named Most Valuable Player. Blueberry, played by Villamil, was Best Playing Pony. Silver Novillo Astrada of Santa Rita earned the Sportsmanship Award.

Teams GJ Racing, Aspen Valley Polo Club, and Power Group Total Care.

The Morning Line won its round robin over Tackeria and Cavaliers. Florencio Merlos of The Morning Line was Most Valuable Player. Myla Cambiaso of Cavaliers earned the Sportsmanship Award. Minla Sobre, played by Inda Pieres, was Best Playing Pony.

In the Huskies, Wahoos and Grand Champions round robin, Emilia Wulff of Wahoos was Most Valuable Player. Lorenzo Nero of The Morning Line earned the Sportsmanship Award. James Bond, played by Felix Pieres of the Huskies, was Best Playing Pony.

MVP Milo MacDonough and Polito Pieres.

After the ChukkerTV, Polo School and Red Barn round robin, Izzy Novillo Astrada of Polo School @ GC was Most Valuable Player. Milo Vilche earned the Sportsmanship Award. Perfecta, played by Kawai Dawson, was Best Playing Pony.

ChukkerTV (Azu Pieres, Lupe Pieres, Mia Pieres, Violeta Pieres) were 1-0 winners over Alex Photo (Isa Nero, Alba Figueras, Olivia MacDonough, Carmen Aguerre). Lupe Pieres, who scored the lone goal, was Most Valuable Player. Carmen Aguerre earned the Sportsmanship Award. Chevy, played by Alba Figueras, was Best Playing Pony.

Teams Santa Rita and Alex Photo.

The tournament featured 81 players on 19 teams competing at various levels. In addition to South Florida, players travelled from Pennsylvania, Kentucky, South Carolina and Sarasota to compete.

„I was very happy with the turnout and to see the numbers coming back up to where we had it back in 2012, 2013 and 2014,“ PTF Executive Director Jennifer McLeavy said. „Our record was around 119. Getting back up to 81 was magical.

MVP Antonio Villamil.

„These kids get better every year, especially seeing the lead line level,“ McLeavy said. „The number of kids in that group this year was exciting and points us toward higher numbers in the future.“

World Polo League players Polito Pieres, Juan Martin Nero, Pablo MacDonough and Mariano Aguerre took turns awarding trophies to smiling faces.

Teams Huskies, Grand Champions, and Wahoos.

The day-long, fun event featured top caliber competition among boy and girl youth players.

„I think it‘s playing opportunity,“ McLeavy said. „That‘s part of the reason we try to do these junior tournaments, getting kids playing with other kids. The more they play, the more they learn. More hours in the saddle, the better.

Sportsmanship Award recipient Lorenzo Nero and Pablo MacDonough.

„What I‘ve learned is even if they don‘t come up from a polo-playing family they will come to one of these events, let‘s say their first one and they will play and then they‘ll go home and they want to ride, they want to get better and want to go to the next one and do even better. It‘s very encouraging.“

Three different ChukkerTV announcers, Jan-Eric Franck, Dale Schwetz and Steve Lane kept the large crowd and world-wide stream audience entertained and informed. The post-tournament trophies and asado ended a perfect day of polo.

Teams Tackeria, Cavaliers, and The Morning Line.

Grand Champions Polo Club President, PTF Chairman and tournament host Melissa Ganzi is a longtime supporter of grass roots polo and PTF. Grand Champions provided the fields, staff, five umpires, and several horses for some of the players and umpires.

The Polo Training Foundation is dedicated to the future of polo in the U.S. The PTF has been instrumental in the growth of junior and youth polo players by encouraging the sport‘s development with training programs, lessons and tournaments for boys and girls.

Inda Pieres receiving Best Playing Pony award for Minla Sobre from Mariano Aguerre.

The PTF was created in 1967 by Palm Beach Polo and Country Club founder and former 7-goal amateur Bill Ylvisaker to teach the game of polo to youth by promoting youth clinics, interscholastic and intercollegiate competition, good sportsmanship and good will through friendly competition.

The Polo Training Foundation is a 501(c) 3 organization and relies solely on tax deductible donations for financial support.

Teams Alex Photo and ChukkerTV.

Carmen Aguerre receiving her Sportsmanship Award trophy.

The world-class league will run through April 16. In addition to the All-Star Challenge which ends on Saturday, the remaining WPL events are the inaugural Tommy Hitchcock Legacy Memorial, Feb. 27; Founders Cup, Feb. 23-March 13; Palm Beach Open, March 9-27; Triple Crown of Polo, March 23-April 16 and Beach Polo World Cup Miami Beach, April 29-May 1.

Grand Champions has also added Sunset Chukkers and Cocktails, presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek held Tuesday late afternoon on Field One for players and guests.

Walking Class teams ChukkerTV, Polo School, and Red Barn.

The high goal club tournaments feature the Sterling Cup, $100,000 World Cup and Santa Rita Abierto.

The 16-goal league play includes the Grand Champions Cup, Power Horse Invitational and Pedro Morrison Memorial.

The 12-goal league continues with the current Sieber Memorial Trophy, the $50,000 National 12-Goal and Mar. 8-26 Top Pony 12-Goal.

MVP Izzy Novillo Astrada with Juan Martin Nero.

After January‘s successful Aspen Valley Cup, the 8-goal tournament schedule continues with the 5 Top Pony 8-Goal and Limited Edition 8-Goal.

The 6-goal schedule features the Metropolitan Cup, also underway; Halo Polo Trophy and Madelon Bourdieu Memorial.

Lead-line teams GJ Racing and Mayer Ranch.

There is also the Polo School Grand Champions Women‘s League, co-founded by Melissa Ganzi and Alina Carta, for all ages and playing ability held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at Santa Rita Polo Farm.

Felix Pieres receiving the Matt Cohen Unsung Hero Award from Melinda Cohen.

The Polo School, now located at the former Pony Express facility, operates in Wellington January through May and September through November. For more information on the Fall Leagues or Polo School contact Director of Operations Juan Bollini at 561-346-1099 or General Manager Cale Newman at 561-876-2930.

Players and their families enjoyed an Asado after the day‘s festivities.

By Sharon Robb
Photos by Candace Ferreira

North America, Polo News

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and Sebucan Advance to Sun Cup Final

10. May 2021

By: Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by: ChukkerTV

WELLINGTON, FL, May 8, 2021— Seminole Casino Coconut Creek defeated Orea by 9-8 in the first match of the Sun Cup, while Sebucan bested Newport by 10-7 in the second match of the day on Friday.

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (Melissa Ganzi, Horacio Heguy, Alejandro Novillo Astrada, and Juan Bollini) met Orea Polo Team (Petra Sobotova, Justin Daniels, Sugar Erksine, and Pablo Spinacci) Friday morning in the first match of the Sun Cup. Seminole Casino Coconut Creek ceded three goals to Orea on handicap.

Horacio Heguy steals the play from Petra Sobotova

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek got off to a good start by consistently winning throw-ins, but it took almost four minutes of play before Melissa Ganzi put their first goal on the board. With just over a minute left on the clock, Petra Sobotova took the ball from the nearside to the right and put it through to maintain Orea’s three-goal margin and end the chukker 4- 1. Seminole Casino Coconut Creek kept Orea away from the goal in the second period, while Ganzi scored her team’s first goal with a neat under-the-neck shot. Alejandro Novillo Astrada contributed back-to-back goals to even things up and the period ended 4-4. Seminole Casino Coconut Creek‘s strategy of keeping Ganzi in front to score paid off again in the third chukker as she took the ball through to put another goal on the board, but a Penalty 2 conversion from Petra Sobotova ended the half at 5-all.

Juan Bollini defends Petra Sobotova

Seminole Casino Coconut Creek picked up the pace in the fourth chukker, with Ganzi offering up a pair of goals to put her team in the lead for the first time during the match. Orea was frustrated yet again and the chukker ended 7-5 in favor of Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. In the pentultimate chukker, Pablo Spinacci picked up a pass from Sugar Erskine and hit it home, but Juan Bollini made sure that Seminole Casino Coconut Creek maintained their two-point lead.

Marc Ganzi going for the play with teammates ready to assist

With just over three minutes left in the match, Ganzi found the posts again to put Seminole Casino Coconut Creek in the lead by three, but Justin Daniels quickly answered with a tail shot on goal. With just 38 seconds left on the clock, Petra Sobotova made a coast-to- coast run for the final goal of the match, with Orea losing to Seminole Casino Coconut Creek by only one goal with a score of 9-8.

Melissa Ganzi was the high scoring player with six goals to her credit.

Nic Roldan goes for the long hit with Grant Ganzi ready to hook

In the second match of the day, Sebucan (Pablo Pulido, Nic Roldan, Marc Ganzi, and Juancito Bollini) met Newport (Gene Goldstein, Grant Ganzi, Santi Chavanne, and Tomacho Pieres). Newport ceded one goal to Sebucan on handicap.

Sebucan capitalized on the one-goal head start quickly, playing a strong defense to keep Newport away from the uprights. Pablo Pulido was the first to score from the field, with Juancito Bollini following up. Pulido knocked the ball through the posts one more time to end the first chukker with Sebucan in the lead by 4-0. Newport fared no better in the second chukker, while Marc Ganzi took Sebucan up to five. Finally, in the third chukker, Newport’s Grant Ganzi scored the first goal of the day for his team. However, two more goals by Pulido and Bollini ended the half with Sebucan leading by six goals at 7-1.

Pablo Pulido hooks Santi Chavanne

There must have been a rousing speech in the Newport tent at halftime because the team in white came back energized. Gene Goldstein put the first goal of the second half on the board, with a follow-up from Grant Ganzi. Turning the tables on Sebucan, Newport rallied with a strong defense to prevent them from scoring. Each team managed only one goal in the pentultimate chukker, but Newport came back on fire in the final with Goldstein, Pieres and Grant Ganzi scoring consecutive goals to pull Newport within two at 7-9. A final effort from Marc Ganzi saw Sebucan win the match 10-7.

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: ChukkerTV WELLINGTON, FL, May 8, 2021— Seminole Casino Coconut Creek defeated Orea by 9-8 in the first match of the Sun Cup, while Sebucan bested…

Polo News, South America

Los Amigos and La Karina Advance to Final of World Polo League’s Triple Crown of Polo

7. September 2020

By Rebecca Baldridge
Photos by ChukkerTV

In the first match of the World Polo League’s Triple Crown of Polo on Friday at Sopris Mountain Ranch, Los Amigos (Alejandra Foster, Jared Zenni, Horacio Heguy, and Juan Bollini) met La Indiana (Michael Bickford, John Bickford, Tincho Merlos, and Alex Gooding).

Horacio Heguy scored the first goal of the match to put Los Amigos briefly in the lead, but as the clock counted down the last minute of the chukker, La Indiana scored two goals within 30 seconds. Michael Bickford scored from the 50-yard line, picking up the ball after Gooding ran it downfield.

At the bowl-in, Gooding seized control and got out in front to score again, ending the chukker at 2-1 for La Indiana. Los Amigos took the lead in the third chukker with three goals by Jared Zenni, two of which were on penalties, and put his team in the lead at 4-2. Gooding scored to end the chukker at 4-3 for Los Amigos. The half wrapped up 5-4 for Los Amigos, after Zenni and Michael Bickford scored on penalties.

The fourth chukker started with an opportunity for La Indiana to even things up after a right of way violation by Juan Bollini. Michael Bickford took the penalty with John attempting a finish, but the shot bounced off Gooding’s pony and went wide. Juan Bollini, lurking on the side at the knock-in, got out in front for a dramatic run to goal. Jared Zenni scored on two penalties to end the chukker at 8-4 for Los Amigos. In the fifth both teams got on goal, bringing the score 9-5. A four-goal lead isn’t insurmountable, and La Indiana fought back hard, scoring three goals, but the match ended with Los Amigos winning 10-8.

In the second match of the Triple Crown, La Karina (Brian Boyd, Gussie Busch, Juancito Bollini, and Nacho Badiola) took on White Claw (Michael Payne, Vinny Sangaline, Pablo Spinacci, and Nacho Novillo Astrada).

The first chukker started with a goal from La Karina’s Brian Boyd, while White Claw failed to make it to the posts. A penalty two shot by Juancito Bollini in the second put La Karina ahead by 2, but Nacho Novillo Astrada evened things up briefly with a goal and a successful penalty before Boyd put La Karina back in the lead at 3-2. Juancito Bollini put two through the posts in the third chukker, while Michael Payne and Nacho Novillo Astrada scored for White Claw to end the half 5-4 for La Karina.

In the fouth chukker Gussie Busch sprang into action for La Karina, picking up a pass from Juancito Bollini to make a bold run at the goal. Seizing control of the ball at the throw-in, Busch made another charge downfield to score, racking up his second goal in a matter of seconds to put La Karina ahead 7-4. Michael Payne scored his own two consecutive goals to put White Claw within one, ending the chukker 7-6. In the fifth, Juancito Bollini found the goal, followed by Brian Boyd, to take the lead 9-6.

Pablo Spinacci shaved that lead to two. In the final chukker, Brian Boyd racked up a goal to put La Karina ahead 10-7, then Novillo Astrada came back with White Claw’s final goal of the game. Boyd scored to end the match 11-8 for La Karina. Brian Boyd was the high scorer of the match with five goals.

In the Just for the Love of It Cup at McClure River Ranch, Los Amigos Blue (Paul Foster, Pedro Ramiro, Nic Roldan, and Pablo MacDonough), McClure River Ranch (Tom Barrack, Juan Martin Nero, Paco de Narvaez, and Stewart Armstrong), and Seminole Casino (Melissa Ganzi, Paquito de Narvaez, Polito Pieres and Alejandro Novillo Astrada) met in a round robin match on Field Two.

McClure River Ranch bested Los Amigos Blue by 5-4 in the first game, with Juan Martin Nero leading the scoring with two goals and his teammates adding one each. Nic Roldan of Los Amigos Blue also found the posts twice. The second chukker ended in a tie at 3 all as Los Amigos succeeded in keeping their opponent off the goal, but McClure River Ranch bounced back to find the goal twice in the third chukker and win the game.

Despite the good start to the day, McClure River Ranch couldn’t keep up the momentum in the second game against Seminole Casino, losing by 4-6. Seminole Casino maintained a one goal lead in the first and second chukkers, stretching the lead to two goals in the final chukker. Melissa Ganzi was the high scorer of the match, knocking in 5 of her team’s 6 goals.

In the final game, Seminole Casino went down 4-6 against Los Amigos Blue, with Ganzi scoring a goal in the first chukker and on a penalty in the second. Paquito de Narvaez also knocked in two goals for Seminole Casino, while Paul Foster put one between the posts in each of the three chukkers.

Co-founded by Grand Champions and Aspen Valley Polo Club owner and president Melissa Ganzi and Valiente Polo Farm owner Bob Jornayvaz, the successful World Polo League is the only 26-goal polo in the world outside of Argentina. The WPL is preserving the highest level of polo and its rich, hallowed tradition in the U.S.

The World Polo League attracts a large international field of players from all corners of the world including Australia, Chile, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Argentina, Canada, Ecuador, Brazil, Switzerland, France, Germany, Uruguay, Venezuela, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Nigeria and England.

For more information and to watch the games go to www.worldpolo.org for a complete library of WPL inaugural and second season games.

Sunday September 6, 2020

Just For The Joy Of It Subsidiary Final
10:30am White Claw vs La Indiana

Just For The Love Of It Final **
Round Robin scores continued from Friday
11am McClure River Ranch vs Los Amigos vs Seminole Casino

Triple Crown Of Polo Final**
1:30pm Los Amigos vs La Karina

**Games live-streamed on www.chukkertv.com

Mountain Standard Time

The Triple Crown of Polo trophy is one of the sport‘s most coveted and prestigious in the world. Designed by Tiffany & Co., the magnificent trophy is comprised of three separate trophies that fit perfectly together to create an entire polo scene that is breathtaking in sterling silver.

The Triple Crown of Polo, an ESPN2 television series, was created in 2005 by David McLane, known for Pro Beach Hockey, Women of Wrestling and Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, to help promote polo in the U.S. The spectacular trophy was created for the event that had stops in Sarasota, Dallas, Santa Barbara and Aiken during its heyday.

2020 Aspen Valley Summer Polo Series

September
The Triple Crown of Polo Aspen 9/1 – 9/6
The Triple Crown of Polo Colorado 9/11 – 9/13

www.aspenvalleypoloclub.com

By Rebecca Baldridge Photos by ChukkerTV In the first match of the World Polo League’s Triple Crown of Polo on Friday at Sopris Mountain Ranch, Los Amigos (Alejandra Foster, Jared…

In own affaires

The new edition of POLO+10 World is underway

18. March 2019

The countdown is running and the voltage is rising: In a few weeks, the new edition of POLO+10 World will go to press. As always, international topics from the polo community are included: a review of the most important events of the winter half-year, new polo formats in the USA, new impulses in Africa, interviews, personalities, opinions and interesting lifestyle and travel topics.

Here we make the previous POLO+10 issue available for free download and reading. And don’t miss it: You can subscribe to the new issue of POLO+10 for spring and summer 2019 here subscription@poloplus10.com

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The countdown is running and the voltage is rising: In a few weeks, the new edition of POLO+10 World will go to press. As always, international topics from the polo…

North America, Polo News

World Polo League: Grand Champions capture Founders Cup

4. March 2019

In one of polo’s biggest upsets, Grand Champions knocked off Valiente, 12-11, in overtime to win the World Polo League Founders Cup Sunday at Valiente Polo Farm. – By Sharon Robb

In front of an overflow crowd, Argentine 10-goaler Juan Martin Nero scored the winning goal in the first two minutes of overtime to upset previously unbeaten Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz, 2, Agustin Nero, 6, Santi Torres, 6, Adolfo Cambiaso, 10).Playing together for the first time in the WPL’s second tournament of the season, Grand Champions finished the eight-team, 26-goal tournament undefeated at 4-0. Nero and teammates Rodrigo Andrade, 9, Grant Ganzi, 3, and Juancito Bollini, 4, earned $60,000 in prize money.

“I don’t know what happened, they say that we won,” joked Nero, named the Tournament Most Valuable Player. Nero also earned the Catena Watch Play of the Day for his game-winner. Andrade was selected Tato’s Game MVP. “I saw Grant was with Adolfito, I was open and went for it. I said to myself ‘I can’t miss this goal.’ I was completely alone. I was lucky to get it. This is huge for us. This is the first tournament we played together and we won. The game was really, good, it was open. We had a lot of fun.”

The stunning victory marked a successful 26-goal final debut of longtime friends and teammates Grant Ganzi, 20, and Juancito Bollini, 22. “I am at a loss for words, I can’t describe it, this is insane,” Ganzi said. “This is a huge upset. The last time Adolfo lost at this level other than last year’s U.S. Open final was a long time ago. It’s tough to beat these guys. Congrats to them, they have been playing unbelievable polo.

About World Polo League:

Co-founded by Grand Champions owners Melissa and Marc Ganzi and Valiente Polo Farm owner Bob Jornayvaz, the World Polo League is the only 26-goal polo in the world outside of Argentina. The WPL is preserving the highest level of polo and its rich, hallowed tradition in the U.S. The WPL has its own set of simpler fan-friendly rules to improve the flow and action of the game.

The WPL, with 14 tournament-quality fields to play on, includes the Feb. 19-March 3 Founders Cup, March 6-24 Palm Beach Open which gets under way on Wednesday with two games including the debut of SD Farms, and March 27-April 14 Triple Crown of Polo.

The World Polo League is open to other teams that wish to compete in one or more of the tournaments. Games are offered on the flat (Open) and on Handicap. The World Polo League has attracted a large international field of players from all corners of the world including Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Nigeria, Uruguay and U.S.

www.gcpolo.com

In one of polo’s biggest upsets, Grand Champions knocked off Valiente, 12-11, in overtime to win the World Polo League Founders Cup Sunday at Valiente Polo Farm. – By Sharon Robb…

North America, Polo News

Opening of Sunny Hale’s Legacy WCT Final at Grand Champions

6. April 2018

Successful Opening Day of Sunny Hale’s Legacy WCT Final at Grand Champions Polo Club: The highly-anticipated opening day of the Sunny Hale’s Legacy WCT Final lived up to expectations Wednesday at Grand Champions Polo Club. In front of a good crowd, opening day featured the open division round-robin competition between between San Saba (Dawn Jones, 6, Clarissa Echezarreta, 6, Alyson Poor, 4, Clara Cassino, 7); Chateau D’esclans (Riley Ganzi, 2, Mia Cambiaso, 5, Mia Novillo Astrada, 4T, Nina Vestey Clarkin, 10) and CrossFit El Cid (Paige Boone McCabe, 6, Cecelia Cochran, 5, Sarah Wiseman, 8, Tiffany Busch, 6).

In the opening two chukkers, Chateau D’esclans, playing for the first time as a team with no practice sessions, started strong with a 4-1 victory over San Saba with two goals from Clarkin, including one banked off the goal post; one goal by Novillo Astrada and one goal by Ganzi.

In the next two chukkers, San Saba regained its rhythm and offensive attack to tie CrossFit El Cid, 3-3. Cassino led San Saba with two goals and Jones had one. Busch had two goals and Wiseman added one for CrossFit El Cid.The open division continuous round-robin resumes on Friday at 4:30 p.m. The top two finishers advance into Sunday’s final at 12:30 p.m.

After a year’s hiatus, the WCT Final has attracted a Who’s Who of women players. Twenty-eight women are competing in three levels of play. Dawn Jones (Team San Saba) praised the efforts of Grand Champions owners Marc and Melissa Ganzi, USPA Florida Circuit Governor, and Dale Smicklas, WCT Commissioner and his wife Joanne Smicklas, WCT Ambassador for putting together the four-day event. “There is a great group of people here watching and there is a buzz around town about the women’s polo,” Jones said. “For a transition year this is pretty impressive. And thanks to Grand Champions and Melissa and Marc, Juan Bollini, Juan Olivera and Dale and Joanne Smicklas. They did a remarkable job putting this together and organizing this.”

The tournament is named in honor of legendary Hall of Famer Sunset “Sunny” Hale. The WCT is the only women’s polo event of its kind. The largest polo league in the world has grown in popularity since its inception in 2005. The WCT Final, adult and junior qualifiers have U.S. and international players with more than 20 qualifiers in the U.S. alone.

Hale, the first woman in U.S. history to win the U.S. Open in 2000 with Outback and part-time Wellington resident, died February 26, 2017 in Norman, Okla. due to complications from cancer. She was 48.

10-goaler Nina Clarkin said she is honored to play in the WCT Final honoring Sunny Hale’s legacy. “Sunny was my idol and inspiration,” Clarkin said. “I remember one of the first ladies tournaments I played I was 16 or 17 and thinking, ‘wow, she’s a dream and I want to play and go like her.’ As we went around the circuit we became friends and I was constantly inspired by her, her talent, dedication and drive and also what a great person she was. I think that’s what I always want to try and improve in myself is to make sure I am a good sports person, on and off the field and an inspiration. It doesn’t always happen with the adrenaline out there. But she was the ultimate sports woman on and off the field.”

Women’s polo remains the largest growing sector in polo, aided by the WCT Series which has helped consolidate women’s polo and promote high quality competition throughout the world.

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Grand Champions

Ava Hinkson and Marisa Bianchi.

Pamela Flanagan and Ava Nunez.

Heather Soto.

Ava Nunez and Ari Dogani.

Pamela Flanagan and Ava Hinkson.

Valentina Tarazona and Ari Dogani.

Valentina Tarazona and Ari Dogani.

Heather Soto and Best Playing Pony Foxy.

By Sharon Robb Photos by Candace Ferreira

Teams Tackeria, Red Barn, and Grand Champions.

MVP Paquito de Narvaez and Pablo MacDonough.

Teams GJ Racing, Aspen Valley Polo Club, and Power Group Total Care.

MVP Milo MacDonough and Polito Pieres.

Teams Santa Rita and Alex Photo.

MVP Antonio Villamil.

Teams Huskies, Grand Champions, and Wahoos.

Sportsmanship Award recipient Lorenzo Nero and Pablo MacDonough.

Teams Tackeria, Cavaliers, and The Morning Line.

Inda Pieres receiving Best Playing Pony award for Minla Sobre from Mariano Aguerre.

Teams Alex Photo and ChukkerTV.

Carmen Aguerre receiving her Sportsmanship Award trophy.

Walking Class teams ChukkerTV, Polo School, and Red Barn.

MVP Izzy Novillo Astrada with Juan Martin Nero.

Lead-line teams GJ Racing and Mayer Ranch.

Felix Pieres receiving the Matt Cohen Unsung Hero Award from Melinda Cohen.

Players and their families enjoyed an Asado after the day‘s festivities.

By Sharon Robb Photos by Candace Ferreira

By: Rebecca Baldridge Photos by: ChukkerTV

Horacio Heguy steals the play from Petra Sobotova

Juan Bollini defends Petra Sobotova

Marc Ganzi going for the play with teammates ready to assist

Nic Roldan goes for the long hit with Grant Ganzi ready to hook

Pablo Pulido hooks Santi Chavanne

By Rebecca Baldridge Photos by ChukkerTV

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